3 Simple Ways to Change Your Life this Summer

Stephanie Tuba

Posted on August 07 2019

﻿By: Nicole Pyles

﻿Nicole Pyles is a writer living in the Pacific Northwest. She currently works as a Blog Tour Manager for WOW! Women on Writing. Her writing has been featured in WOW! Women on Writing, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, The Voices Project, and Restless Magazine. You can follow her on Twitter @BeingTheWriter.

If you have ever wanted your life to change, it may seem like something that requires a lot of money. And time. And mostly money. Yet, the biggest changes you can make in your life starts on the inside. It starts in the simplest of ways - all of which you can start right now without a single dime.

1) Start a gratitude journal.

What are you thankful for? No matter how bad life is right now, there is always something to be thankful for. Now, this may be easier said than done, especially if life is particularly dark right now, so start small. And I mean start with the basics. Do you have a place to live and a door to lock? Do you have food in the fridge? Do you have clean water to drink? Do you have family or friends that love and care about you? Do you have a pet that loves you? Do you have an online buddy that appreciates you? Do have clothes to wear and shoes on your feet? Did work go well today? Did your boss give you a compliment? Did you pass that test in class? Each day, it helps to record what you are thankful for. If your day has been rotten, focus on the basics. When you do this, your entire perspective about your life will change. In fact, there are scientifically proven benefits about the benefits of gratitude. And if the idea of keeping a whole journal overwhelms you, consider using Facebook and Twitter to share what your grateful moments (read more unique approaches here).

2) Cut back on social media.

When was the last time you were on social media? Probably just a moment ago, right? Think about the last time you were disappointed that your tweet or Facebook share didn't get any likes. Or, think about the moments you spent more time on social media than enjoying nature, a good book, or a good conversation. If you spend too much time focusing on social media, consider cutting back. You don’t have to go cold turkey, but start out removing apps off your smart phone. Or if you aren’t ready to go that far, limit the time you are on each platform (there’s an app for that!). In the long run, by cutting down on social media, you are helping your overall well-being and mental health.

3) Change how you talk about yourself.

Have you ever said to yourself, "Wow I'm so stupid"? Or even worse? How we think and talk about ourselves has a huge impact. Consider this: would you say to a three year old the things you are saying to yourself right now? If the answer is a big resounding NO, it's time to change your self-talk.

First, start with becoming more aware of what you are saying or thinking about yourself. Recognize the thought or words you are saying to yourself right as they come. Acknowledge them. Next, change it around into a positive thought or word. It may not come easily but awareness is the first big step. This type of change can have lasting impact on your self-esteem and outlook on life.

Changing your life doesn't mean you need to spend loads of money. It doesn't mean that you need to move to Europe, change your name, and put on a disguise. Change comes from within. Start today with these three tips to transform your life from inside. You'll be amazed at what happens.